Would you buy a “New Car” that is 15 months old?

[Surprise2]

I’ve found a new 2024 F150 3.5 ecoboost with 75 miles that was made in February of 2024.

Assuming that the deal is good enough, would you hesitate to purchase a 1.5 year old new car? What would you request be done to the vehicle to make it as close to new as reasonably possible?

So far my offer would be contingent on an oil change, new windshield wipers, a full exterior detail and possibly new tires as there was some vibration during the test drive and a new battery or at least a positive load test on the existing battery.

 

[harbor]

I think you’ve pretty much covered the major issues. Were the 75 miles due to test drives, service loaner, dealer trade, or what? Also, I’d get any outstanding recalls addressed.
Good luck with the purchase!

 

[Zee09]

I would have 15 months ago

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

Dealers move cars around on the lots so IMO nothing to worry about except perhaps windshield wipers. As long as the new car warranty starts the day you buy it I would not give it one thought...
During that "chip" shortage those Ford trucks sat...

 

[Jetronic]

ran for 2 minutes at a time, 2x per day 5 days a week for 15 months? no, I wouldn't.

 

[billt460]

Dealers move cars around on the lots so IMO nothing to worry about except perhaps windshield wipers. As long as the new car warranty starts the day you buy it I would not give it one thought...
During that "chip" shortage those Ford trucks sat...

Those things never break. If you watch most any dash cam accident on Youtube, no matter how bad, the windshield wipers are always running after the fact. They even manage to turn themselves on after the wreck on Sunny days. Many times it's the only thing left alive.

 

[Patman]

I did that actually, in January 1996 I bought a brand new 1996 Trans Am and it had a factory build date of September 1994 so it was sitting on the lot for a while! I had a lot of trouble with that car. As soon as I pulled out of the lot I noticed the first issue. The windshield wipers weren’t coming down all the way when you shut them off. One week later the starter died
The car also had more “test drive miles” on it than I expected, around 200. I changed the oil as soon as I got it home.

 

[billt460]

On a more serious note. Not a car, but I bought a 1985 Kawasaki Voyager, 1300 cc six cylinder in 1988. They took me in the back, and the bike was still plastic wrapped, in the wood shipping crate. I got it for an excellent price compared to the current model.

And the best thing was, when they parked it next to 1988 model they had sitting in the showroom, you couldn't tell the difference. Even the paint was identical.

 

[97prizm]

I’ve found a new 2024 F150 3.5 ecoboost with 75 miles that was made in February of 2024.

Assuming that the deal is good enough, would you hesitate to purchase a 1.5 year old new car? What would you request be done to the vehicle to make it as close to new as reasonably possible?

So far my offer would be contingent on an oil change, new windshield wipers, a full exterior detail and possibly new tires as there was some vibration during the test drive and a new battery or at least a positive load test on the existing battery.

If they check the battery then check the electrolyte level. This looks good.

 

[Escape08]

Yes

 

[skyactiv]

Not if it has the stupid 5.5’ bed.

 

[Egg_Head]

The most popular selling vehicle in the US for 4 decades has been sitting on a dealer lot for 18 months? There must be a reason ...

 

[eljefino]

They'd laugh you out of the showroom if you demanded new tires.

They could rebalance the ones they've got.

This is the biggest red flag though-- the OEs are very particular about having a smooth rolling tire/wheel assembly, and quite good at getting them balanced at the factory.

There will be someone dumber than you paying more than you're willing, and the dealer is counting on this. If you try using logic on them, they'll feign interest, not meet your demands, and sell the truck to a sucker instead.

 

[rijndael]

If it sat on the lot, check for rodent damage.

 

[John105]

I would not. imho there's a reason why vehicles remain unsold, when new ones come in and leave. I look at it just like taxes. Generally speaking, one does not adjust our behavior based on how we're taxed (unless we're at a break point). So why buy a car around how dealers decide to market products? A friend of a friend always buys the vehicles with the 0% and the large incentives, and then gets another in 6 mos because he didn't like it. He'll say his new deal was so good it was a no-brainer. Been doing this for years and years.

 

[Patman]

My ex wife’s dad bought a new van back in the 80s that had been sitting on the lot for a couple of years but that’s because it was a terrible brown color He ended up getting a pretty sweet deal on it and it ended up being a relatively reliable vehicle

 

[Astro14]

If the price is right - sure. But that price would be a very big discount off MSRP.

 

[Klutch9]

If the price is right - sure. But that price would be a very big discount off MSRP.

My parents bought a new ‘old’ Hyundai Sonata back in 2017. It was a 2016 model and they got a nice amount off MSRP, since the 2017s had a refresh. IIRC, my old 2008 Sedona, which I bought used, was built about 13 months before it was ever registered.

 

[WeyounDS9]

I’ve found a new 2024 F150 3.5 ecoboost with 75 miles that was made in February of 2024.

Assuming that the deal is good enough, would you hesitate to purchase a 1.5 year old new car? What would you request be done to the vehicle to make it as close to new as reasonably possible?

So far my offer would be contingent on an oil change, new windshield wipers, a full exterior detail and possibly new tires as there was some vibration during the test drive and a new battery or at least a positive load test on the existing battery.

I might hesitate a bit, but if the deal is right still pull the trigger.

My main concern would have been aging seals that werent wetted enough during sitting.
But this may never be an issue for the life of the car, hard to say. And then there are warranties.

New tires may not be needed , could be a balancing issue.
Or flat spotting who knows, more testdrives in order IMHO.

 

[Capt W]

I bought my 2008 Charger R/T (built Sep 2007) off a Santa Barbara showroom floor in Feb 2009 with 11 miles on the clock. MSRP was $34,565. Paid $20,400 after rebates, dealer cash, and holdback. Only mistake I made was not buying both of them they had for that price.